Online vigil for veteran Harry Leslie Smith as he is admitted to Canadian hospital

Mr Smith's son is sending updates while the activist is in intensive care. Icon Books

Harry Leslie Smith, a veteran of the Second World War and activist became the subject of a social media bedside vigil on Tuesday as details of his serious health condition were shared on Twitter by his son.

Originally from the then-impoverished mining town of Barnsley in the UK, 95-year-old Mr Smith now lives in Ontario, Canada. After living through the Great Depression and fighting in the Second World War, he has spent much of his life working to advance human rights and preserve Britain’s welfare state, publicising his views to his 230,000 Twitter followers.

This is Harry Leslie Smith's son, John. Harry is in A & E and not in a good way. He asked me to inform you in case things don't work out. I will keep you posted.

On Tuesday evening, Mr Smith’s son, John, tweeted from a Canadian hospital to inform the veteran’s followers of his admission to hospital with a suspected cardiac condition. In response came hundreds of messages of hope, support and prayer from the public, causing the hashtag #IStandWithHarry to trend on Twitter in the UK.

Tonight #IstandwithHarry He taught us all how social media can truly be a force for good and that human decency is always the right choice. Softly singing Mo Ghile Mear to him, I hope he hears. https://t.co/12q0B00TAp

If there ARE such things as “British Values” then they are those by which Harry lives - courage, authenticity, fairness, social justice. Harry hang in there. We need you. @Harryslaststand#IstandwithHarry

Sending love, admiration and strength to 95 yr-old @Harryslaststand in this time of illness. A man who, having lived through the horrors of the 20th Century, has tirelessly campaigned to make the 21st a better place for his fellow citizens. Much respect, sir. #IStandWithHarry

The response was so strong that some online compared the outpouring of support on social media to a vigil.

A regular contributor of his wisdom to the Guardian newspaper, Mr Smith has also penned five books on his personal experiences and their impact on his political views. His most recent effort to impact the public consciousness has been a $71,000 crowdfunding drive to visit refugee camps across the world and shed light on their struggles.

As updates on his illness were released by his son, donations continued to roll in to his crowdfunding website, presumably in the hope that he will recover to continue his visits.

As well as members of the public from all over the world, prominent British figures also took to Twitter to send their support to Mr Smith.

British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn asked John Smith to “pass on my best” to Mr Smith, saying the UK’s National Health Service needed him.

Mr Smith has been an outspoken supporter of the Labour leader and advocate for welfare rights in the United Kingdom, as well as taking an interest in refugee issues.

Very sorry to hear this. Please pass on my best to Harry. We need him to get well soon as the National Health Service, and our movement, needs him.

John Smith kept his father’s supporters updated on his condition throughout the night, stopping only to get some rest.

I have to thank all of Harry's followers, who have shown so much love for him tonight, I know it has helped his health. It also has made these hours less barren for me. Now, I am going to sleep for a bit and be back soon. If anything changes I will let you know. #IStandWithHarry